Royal Patron for The Scottish
Tartans Authority
The Scottish Tartans Authority (STA), a registered
charity and the only organisation dedicated to the promotion,
protection and preservation of Scotland's iconic national cloth, is
delighted to announce that His Royal Highness The Prince Charles,
Duke of Rothesay has agreed to become its Patron.
Founded in 1995, the charitable purposes of the Authority
are to protect, preserve, conserve, promote and explain the
culture, traditions and uses of Scottish Tartans and Highland
Dress; and to advance and promote the education of the public about
Scottish Tartans and Highland Dress and their respective origins,
manufacture, use and development. This is a wide remit for a
small charity and as well as fielding hundreds of enquiries every
year, the STA provides expert support to the Scottish Register of
Tartans, having gifted its core tartan database to allow the
Register to be set up by National Records of Scotland in
2009.
Our Projects
Recent STA collaborations have included working with
the Braemar Royal Highland Society in developing a Highland Games
Exhibition and advising The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on
their "Splash of Tartan" theme for 2017. The Authority is
also collaborating with a wide range of tartan stakeholders to
deliver two ground breaking projects. The first will see the
creation of a National Tartan Centre in Stirling, within sight of
the Highland boundary and the district in which Wilsons of
Bannockburn were the most prolific of tartan weaving businesses
from the 18th to
20th centuries.
The second will help pursue a long-held ambition of Scottish
weavers to establish a "tartan marque" for tartan woven in
Scotland.
John McLeish, Chairman of The Scottish Tartans Authority,
said:
"The rich history and cultural traditions associated with
tartan help to attract millions of visitors to Scotland every
year. Whether on the catwalks of Milan or at a Highland
Gathering, our iconic national cloth has a distinct style and
evokes strong feelings of belonging, making it the best-known and
best-loved fabric in the world."
"The Duke of Rothesay is a true ambassador for
tartan, Highland Dress and the traditions of the Highlands.
We consider it a great honour that His Royal Highness has agreed to
become our Patron and we are very grateful for his support and
encouragement as we seek to enhance the profile of tartan and
secure its legacy for future generations".